Security guards are to patrol a Southend estate to help police tackle drugs.

The radical move is part of a new project being launched next month on the Woodgrange estate - formerly known as the Kursaal.

Covert operations will also be carried out by the police aimed at targeting drug dealers on the estate.

Ray Gorin, co-ordinator of the Southend Drug Action Team who will be spearheading the project, said its most important aim was to lower fear of crime among the Woodgrange community.

He added: "There is not a great deal of drug crime but there is a large perception, particularly among residents. What we will be looking for at the end of the project is that people won't be worried about going out in the daytime and perhaps even at night."

The security guards - contracted by Estuary Housing - will not have any powers of arrest but will have direct links with the police to report any crimes.

The Woodgrange scheme is one of only three nationally which has been specially chosen by the Home Office to trial different ways of tackling drugs in society.

A £50,000 Home Office grant plus £20,000 from the Southend Drug Action Team has been secured by the partnership.

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